Sewing together Scattered Thoughts and Stories into a Meaningful Piece

the other SIDE

It was a devastating tragedy for Visayas. But vehemently, the Filipino spirit will continue. Yesterday was probably a nightmare, but today is a mark for a new beginning: a new hope for a better tomorrow.

Every time I watch the news, it always breaks my heart seeing the agony in the eyes of the victims of the recent super typhoon “Yolanda.” It was a total devastation. Typhoon Yolanda really cause havoc to thousands or even millions of our countrymen in Visayas. It costs a lot of tears, sorrow and misery among our fellowmen.

Deep within this tragedy are stories left untold. It would be enough to say that just by looking in the eyes of these victims, it will bring a heartfelt loss for any of us, added to the fact that they are receiving slow relief from us.

A call for us to help. They’re calling for us to give them aid. It is a blessing that other countries address our needs for relief and aid; organizations also in the Philippines go hand in hand to give aid to the victims. Sadly, there is a slow relief given for them. But I still believe that this is not the time to blame someone for this slow action. What we need right now is to continue supporting the victims. We are what they need.

Many lives were taken away. Houses and livelihoods were destroyed. Children were orphaned. There are more missing individuals. Corpses are strewn everywhere. These are the aftermath of the tragedy. Yolanda attacked for a day only but it cause so much heartache for the victims and even survivors of it. Prayers. This is the most powerful weapon we need to give them.

For the past week, Blue Sky by Hale kept playing on my mind and this might be a simple message I want to impart with my fellowmen in Visayas: “Rain will keep on pouring. Some things you can’t control. And while the sun seems far and hard to hold, it will unfold. There will always be a blue sky, a blue sky waiting tomorrow full of hope.“

There is a rainbow always after the rain. Hope for tomorrow. Today might be a disaster but we are strong. As a popular line goes: Bagyo ka lang Yolanda! Pilipino kami! Bangon Pilipinas! We’re all in this together!

This week has been really an “out-of-the-world” status for me. What makes it really “out” was the scenarios I have heard, saw and felt this past few days.

ISSUE No. 1

It was on November 13, when this viral video of a certain “Paula”, a college student came out humiliating a lady guard at LRT2 Santolan Station. This video has become a trending topic of every people who takes on different sides.

Well, (not for clearing my conscience), I am not taking any sides. Both of them commits mistake. I just hope that both of them, during that day, just keep their heads cool. Maybe it will come out as a little misunderstanding if both of them just limit their power of speech. They should have learn that everything in life will turn out ok without using so much freedom of expression. Learn to follow rules and obey simple laws. Smile. 🙂

ISSUE No. 2

Meanwhile, tremendous news involving a 34-year old barangay tanod who robbed and viciously killed by slitting the throat of its three occupants in Tondo, Manila also headlines the news. Unfortunately, the said barangay tanod was purportedly shot in his head causing his instant death.

Crime. Murder, massacre, robbery, these have been the major content of the news. As it said, “bad news is good news.” Well, I hope there could be a more peaceful way of delivering news. I hope that the victims and the suspect will rest in peace. What people needs now is a peaceful way of living.

ISSUE No. 3

Upon riding a jeepney, I caught a man (who was in front of me) peeking the breast of a nursing student, who was next to him. I thought he was just looking outside, but no! I followed the direction of his eyes and I am really sure that he is looking in the sensitive part of the said girl. Grrr… He is a real maniac! Why are there guys who are happy abusing girls? I hope our political leaders promulgate law to penalize such maniac. I am really hoping that maybe, 80% of our men today are real gentlemen.

———————–

Life has its different taste. It is just up to us how we will savor each experience we face in our everyday existence. Anyways, I have tasted this sour flavor of life when I came upon these two kids who I thought were playing on something right on a small flood covering the road. When I peeked, I was shocked to see a big dead rat floating in the said flood. I hurriedly looked away and I was like in the midst of vomiting. Sour, really sour, I learned then to be not so curious of something, so I will not be surprised to see what it is that I am curiously looking at.

Life really has its five tastes. Learn to taste all of those and see to yourself life’s hidden happiness. 🙂

Late last Thursday, I’ve experienced again the unending scenario of traffic jam. I was on my way home with a tummy that is already churning and tiresome feeling after an eight-hour of work when suddenly five minutes after I rode a jeepney, all I can see are overflowing of cars without literally moving. All I can utter was “Whoa”. 🙂

Traffic. It is one of the terrible things that can happen in the road (more terrible if you least expect it). It is as if traffic consumes all your time needed to do something more valuable. Traffic is a headache, really. What makes it a headache is the fact that once you have this important appointment and all of a sudden you arrive late and alas! All was thrown into trash. You can blame anybody, you can shout, but what else can you do, traffic is a matter of our everyday life. 🙂

So, just what I said earlier, I rode this jeepney on my way to Anonas with a driver who drastically has a high blood that time because as I have eavesdropped, he has just finish fixing his flat tire and was all wet because of the unexpected rain. All of a sudden, he decided to take on different route so as to make a “shortcut”, but what this shortcut means was another long and boring set of traffic. So all I ended up was praying “Lord, please keep me safe and may I arrive on my destination safe and sound”. Thank God I have able to go down at 6:15 in the evening after leaving at 5:00 in the afternoon (when it all should be a 30-minute ride).

What else is new here? Traffic everywhere. Well, it is everybody’s fault why this unending problem is left unsolved. I have to blame myself and you can blame yourself too. As a responsible citizen, we all have our responsibility to follow rules and orders. These regulations are set for our own benefit. Though we have this right to express, we should not forget the word “limitations”. We all have limitations. Sometimes, it is better to follow for the good of everybody. Government has also their responsibilities, but we should not blame all the unnecessary things we experience to them, because we also do have faults in this problem.

What we should do, is to act properly and be able to follow what the law says. At the end of the day, we all want a peaceful and orderly society manage by a respectful leader. Traffic is one of the problems we just came along. But we should manage to keep calm and wish for the betterment of things. Be a responsible citizen, have a truthful means of governance, in the end we can be at ease and we can live peacefully. Have a safe and joyful traffic ahead! 🙂

The sheep (or ram) is among the animals that people like most. It is gentle and calm. Since ancient times, people have learned to use its fleece to make writing brushes and skin to keep warm. As it is white, people describe delicate and precious white jade to be ‘suet jade’. Thus it is close to the meaning of good things.StrengthsPeople under the sign of the sheep are tender, polite, filial, clever, and kind-hearted. They have special sensitivity to art and beauty, faith in a certain religion and a special fondness for quiet living. They are wise, gentle and compassionate and can cope with business cautiously and circumspectly. In their daily life, they try to be economical. Women born in this year are willing to take good care of others, but they should avoid pessimism and hesitation. They are kind in heart and commonly have symmetrical figures and features.

WeaknessesSheep year people are often worriers who are shy, pessimistic, moody, indecisive, over-sensitive, weak-willed and puzzled about life. They are easily inclined to be deeply religious. They are timid in nature and like to be looked after by others. They like flattery, compliment and suggestions from friends. They do not dare to express their love openly and usually have interests in strange theories.

Fortune Foretelling in 2012
Overview: Sheep people have an average luck in 2012. They might have arguments with work partners, friends and families, or fall prey to a plot.

Career: They should stay out of troubles and be with cares and discretion to what they say or do, in order to avoid troubles from jealous people.Wealth: Sheep people have good fortune in money this year. It is suitable for them to make investments and look for business cooperation.Love: Their luck in love is not ideal in 2012. Most possibilities will pass them in the street. Only a little chance to make it and develop into a real relationship. They do not have to be frustrated anyway.Health: Being on short commons or eat too much sometimes. Improper eating habit may result in burdens to their stomach.

Though the said forecast have positive and negative information, still I believe that we are the sailors of our life, our destiny depends on ourselves and the best way to make the forecast real is to live life patiently and with the acts ready to fulfill every mission given to us. Kung Hei Fat Choi! Have a prosperous 2012! 🙂

With high hopes of attracting vast number of tourists, finally the Department of Tourism (DOT) came up with its slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”. Though issues rallied upon the said slogan which was said to be an imitation of the 1951 Switzerland advertisement, still DOT manage to catch the attention of everybody.

Well, so much can be prove how fun it is in the Philippines, from how Filipinos spend their everyday living to simple talks and labor into something very exciting and enjoyable. It is easy to say that Filipinos struggled financially, emotionally and economically, but regardless of it all, still we manage to survive every other day positively. That’s what Filipinos are, struggling but fighting. Only in the Philippines can we see people smiling even in the midst of typhoon. And only in the Philippines can we find true happiness because happiness here is unique, it is viral.

“It’s More Fun in the Philippines” do not only merely signify a slogan promoted by one of its government agency, but it tries to go deep. It is fun with a twist. It reflects the Filipino tradition, a one of a kind tradition that only here can be found. It tells the story of our country, the rich folklore we have and most especially the true Filipinos living within us. It is what we are and how proud we are to be. And so I can say, it is really fun here. Come and see! 🙂

Hooray for Mornings
And things that make them good
Hooray for beaming smiles That make my day
Hooray for stop’s and go’s
Hooray for colors and quick hellos
Hooray for surprises that walk my way
Hooray for friends I’ll make,
oh hey…hey!
Hooray for treats that make me smile,
Like magic stripes that fill the sky
Hooray for days that make me say,
Oh, HOORAY FOR TODAY!

Note: Today is a brand new day so let us not waste our time counting what we’ve lost but rather be thankful for what we’ve gained and the wonder of another day spent here on earth. We are very blessed and forever will be. Good morning! 🙂

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“Writers aren’t people exactly. Or, if they’re any good, they’re a whole lot of people trying so hard to be one person.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald
My life is beautiful and simple. I am surrounded by well-loving individuals who complete my everyday existence. They are the best part of my life. Everything in life is possible. So, if you want something, just go for it. Life is really good. Just trust God and stay positive everyday. I am loved. I am blessed. :)